Los Angeles Angeles two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani took things to another level in Thursday night’s 4-2 win over the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium.
On the mound, Ohtani threw eight scoreless innings, allowed two hits, struck out 10, and allowed one walk.
Shohei Ohtani has not allowed a hit through 7 innings. ⚾️👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/xD6spBmgPn
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 30, 2022
What a night for Shohei@Angels | #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/rN9rzJNI49
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) September 30, 2022
Ohtani had a no-hitter still going with two outs in the top of the eighth inning, but Oakland’s Conner Capel broke it up with a single through the left side of the infield. This batted ball had just a .370 expected batting average:
Shohei Ohtani loses the no-hitter with 2 outs in the 8th. ⚾️☹️ pic.twitter.com/n6ivWHr7lz
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 30, 2022
Oakland’s Dermis Garcia singled as well in the next at-bat, on a batted ball that had an expected average of .300.
So, some tough luck there at the end for Ohtani, but that’s one of the many reasons why it’s so hard to throw a no-hitter. Along with excellent pitching, it usually features a few fortunate breaks and great defense.
And in addition to starring as a pitcher, Ohtani made an impact with his bat in the game as well. He went 2-for-4 and extended his hitting streak to 14 games with an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning.
14 game hitting streak and a 🥩@Angels | #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/Ck9Bv9mg3S
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) September 30, 2022
Ohtani now has a 2.35 ERA over 161 innings pitched this season, and he has a .275/.358/.529 slash line with a 145 wRC+ as a hitter over 639 plate appearances. It’s unprecedented and mind-blowing.
Shohei Ohtani:
2.35 ERA in 161 innings pitched.
275/.358/.529 slash line with a 145 wRC+ over 639 plate appearances.
— Matt Clapp (@TheBlogfines) September 30, 2022
Here’s a look at how the baseball world is reacting to Ohtani’s brilliance and no-hit bid on Wednesday night:
Shohei Ohtani has 34 HR, 94 RBI and 11 stolen bases this season. He also does stuff like this. pic.twitter.com/AOARhsk2xn
— MLB (@MLB) September 30, 2022
This is Shohei Ohtani's 4th game this season with 10+ strikeouts on the mound and multiple hits at the plate
That ties 1985 Dwight Gooden for the most such games in a season since at least 1901 https://t.co/kZ4YbK5zF0
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 30, 2022
No pitcher has ever had more than 26 career home runs under his belt at the time of throwing a no-hitter (Warren Spahn, 26 at time of each of his no-nos) [h/t @EliasSports]
Shohei Ohtani has 127 career HR, and counting
File this away for someday. Based on tonight, someday soon.
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 30, 2022
Shohei Ohtani: 10 games this year with 10+ strikeouts! pic.twitter.com/6jNzqwwgbF
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) September 30, 2022
An all-time great performance by Shohei Ohtani. Wow.
8ip / 10k / 2h / 0er on the mound.
2-4 with an RBI at the plate.Appreciate this while we can. This is special and truly a joy to watch. I can’t believe what I’m seeing with my own eyes.
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) September 30, 2022
Shohei Ohtani walks off to raucous ovation after completing his eighth scoreless inning of the night dropping his ERA to 2.35, his ERA has been sub-three since June 22 (16 starts) — oh, and he has an .887 OPS in case you forgot
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) September 30, 2022
#Angels Shohei Ohtani now has 15 wins, a 2.35 ERA and 11.91 SO/9 in his 27 pitching starts.
The only players all-time to post those numbers (or better) in a season:
Pedro Martinez (1999)
Randy Johnson (1997)— Matt Birch (@MattBirch12) September 30, 2022
I don’t normally have takes on here, but here’s one: The Angels can’t trade Shohei Ohtani. They need to ride it out with him in 2023 and hope they do enough to convince him to stay long term.
You just can’t give up on that.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) September 30, 2022
Me watching Shohei Ohtani do anything on a baseball field pic.twitter.com/1foi3Slq3u
— Joon Lee (@joonlee) September 30, 2022
